Bryce & Zion in May
 

Short trip with a friend, about 6 days total, so we're not 'trying to see everything.' Have both been to these parks, but it has been over 30 years for me. Flying into Salt Lake City. Do you recommend Hatch as a good home base? There seem to be several AirBNBs there. If we were to stay in 2 locations, 2 nights at each place for example, do you have suggestions? Also, would like recommendations on other things to see/do in that area. Have been to Arches/Moab and that is too far anyway for this trip. Thanks!

Why not stay as close to the parks as you can? I can recommend Best Western Grand in Bryce Canyon City, and Cable Mountain Lodge in Zion. As close to the parks as you can be without staying at the park lodges, which are probably fully booked by now.

Alternatively, there are many places to stay in Springdale for Zion and several options in Bryce Canyon City.

Hatch has a population of 148 - you'll not find much to do there (like eat).

Keep in mind that two nights in each place only gives you one full day to explore, plus partial days as you change locations, but if it were me, I'd not try to do both parks from one base.

Thanks for the tips. Two nights is a minimum, if you were going to spend more time in one park compared to the other, which would get additional time?

And another thought, we are two women friends traveling together and love meeting other travelers and locals. Are there any 'ranch' type accommodations in these areas that anyone can recommend? There was a tiny cabin in Hatch that looked to be part of a group of cabins, with outdoor fire pit, and that looked interesting to us.

Well, we spent three nights at both Bryce and Zion and that was perfect for us. Gave us two full days in each park to hike and explore. Are you planning to hike?

As for Hatch, all I can tell you is my impression when we drove through a few weeks ago - I described it in my notes as a sad little town that looked abandoned and derelict. Granted this was a first impression and this was in January, but that's all I've got to go by. Someone more familiar with the area might be of more help.

We saw several tent-type accommodation near both Bryce and Zion - one was called Under Canvas. This strikes me a potential place to meet other travelers and locals, but that's just my impression, no personal experience.

https://www.undercanvas.com/camps/bryce-canyon/

And this place near Zion:

https://www.zionponderosa.com/conestoga-wagons/

May not be what you're looking for, but it looked interesting as we passed by.

Have a look at Kanab.

May I ask where you stayed at Bryce and Zion? We are both flying in, so although we're campers typically, we won't be bringing all our equipment. And yes, we will do some hiking, just nothing too long as I'm recovering from an ankle fracture.

My go-to place to stay at Zion is same as Melenq8 - the Cable Mtn Lodge. It is immediately adjacent to the pedestrian entrance to the park where everyone picks up the park shuttle bus.
At Bryce, I've only ever stayed at Bryce Lodge - I loved being able to just step outside my room and gaze up at the dark sky, or take a 5min stroll to the rim with a morning coffee in hand. Immediately outside the park entrance is the Best Western/ Ruby's. IIRC there are several different properties there.

There are great shorter hikes at both parks. At bryce, it's the Navajo Loop/Queensgarden trail that is the most heavily trafficed and easist to access. That trail / combo does include a hike down & back up into the actual canyon, but it's well worth it to get blow the rim among the hoodoos. A longer trail is the Peekaboo Loop - gets you away from the crowds. You can do part of that as an out & back if you wish. Same hoodoo formations, but fewer people. For others who may want a bigger hike, the Fairyland Loop gets you completely away from everybody. My one hike on that trail a few years ago I saw 2, maybe 3 other people the entire hike...
https://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/day-hikes.htm

At Zion, my reco's for "easier" hikes are the weeping rock, emerald pool(s), and Pa'rus trail for a stroll, plus a walk along/in the river (riverside trail + part of the narrows trail. It is well worth it to walk upstream from the end of the paved riverside trail, even as short as 1/4 or 1/2 mile, around a turn or two - you don't need to go to far. Since that trail is all or partway walking IN the cool (frigid) water, water hiking shoe rental is advisable. With a bum ankle that may be a tough walk, so perhaps try it out with some sneakers you get soaked just to try it out. A walking pole is a must - you can rent wooden poles for a few $ a day.
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvis...ng-in-zion.htm

Outside the valley floor, the canyon overlook trail is also an easy and nice hike as you're looking down at the canyon below.

Yes, we stayed at Cable Mountain Lodge - not a 'go-to' for us as it was our first visit. Got a very good rate in January, not sure I'd be willing to pay May prices. Really enjoyed our stay there. You can walk into the park from the hotel and access a few hikes without needing a car or shuttle.

In Zion we stayed at the Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand, which while owned by Ruby's (who seems to own just about everything in Bryce Canyon City) appealed to me more than the older Ruby's, which is also a Best Western. We enjoyed it as well.

La Quinta Inn & Suites is my go-to in Springdale Zion but I am price-sensitve. i.e. kind of cheap.

I wouldn't want to commute 1.5 hours each way from Hatch to Zion. For Zion stay in Springdale.

For Bryce stay in Bryce or Tropic. I actually prefer Tropic which is more of a town (though tiny) and has several cabin type properties. I've stayed at Bryce Country Cabins and can recommend it. Bryce is more of a collection of motels.

And for both parks you do have the option of staying inside the parks if you can find availability.

I was in Bryce and Zion in Oct. We spent 3 nights at each place. We flew into LAS and rented a car. First stop was Mesquite where we stopped at Lee's Discount Liquor Store. Bought some wine to have in the room when you drink in Utah, you have to buy food if you have a drink. Onto Springdale where we stayed at La Quinta. It's a good location, not far from the shuttle stop and restaurants you can walk to. However, it had the worst pillows to sleep on I have ever slept on. Other than that, it was fine. We did some of the shorter hikes in Zion. I enjoyed the one that takes you to the beginning of the Narrows hike, which we did not do. There is a nice grocery store within walking distance where you can get sandwiches and snacks for the day. At La Quinta there is a place called Zion Gurus where you can get hiking info or rent gear to do the Narrows.
We did a jeep tour with Zion Jeep Tours. That was fun. More later, have to run for a few.

Lower Calf Creek Falls is about one mile from the state road.

https://flic.kr/p/7uwfAf

Unless there are two, Lower Calf Creek Falls is 17 miles from Escalante and 1:20 from Bryce.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...56cc200ba2.jpg
Lower Calf Creek Falls

Wrong post, deleted

We spent 3 nights at Bryce in October. We stayed in Tropic at the Bryce Country Cabins. They were nice, clean- there are a few restaurants in Tropic- one restaurant has country music at night. It was a short drive into the park and parking for the shuttle. The Rim trail is nice, easy and very beautiful. We hiked from Sunrise to Paradise- very easy.
Even though the weather was not great, the parking lots still fill up so we were grateful for the shuttle system.
It was a great trip and I would love to spend more time there.

Be prepared for cold weather in Bryce in May, it is still possible.

It doesn't hurt to check to see if park accommodations are available in both parks.

All of your replies have been so helpful! I think we've nailed our itinerary and accommodations but all are refundable so your thoughts are welcome. I have also been scouring older posts and taking notes on hikes, etc. Some recommended hotels were booked (like Bryce Canyon lodge) or out of our price range (Cable Mtn Lodge). This starts May 10.Tues- arrive SLC before noon, drive to Springdale, maybe get there early enough to do a short hike and/or go to the visitor’s center. Sunset? Three nights at Bumbleberry Inn.

Wed-Thurs: explore Zion

Fri: Drive to Bryce, stops along the way or get there early enough to explore, sunset? (yes, I keep reading about sunset spots) 2 nights at Bryce Canyon Resort, in Bryce.

Sat: Explore Bryce

Sun: drive to Grand Staircase Escalante, stopping to hike along the way. One night at Boulder Mtn Lodge. https://boulder-utah.com/

Mon: Drive from Boulder to the entrance to Capital Reef and explore the park. One night at Red River Ranch, just east of Torrey. https://redriverranch.com/

Tues: drive back to SLC for a 2:00 pm flight. Seems do-able as Google says its about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Thanks again, everyone!

I liked the Best Western and La Quinta better than Bumbleberry, if they are available and within budget.